Study on the effect of Mongolian medicine Qiwei Qinggan Powder on hepatic fibrosis through JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

This research aimed to evaluate the antihepatic fibrosis effect and explore the mechanism of Qiwei Qinggan Powder (QGS-7) in vivo and in vitro. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used. QGS-7 treatment significantly improved the liver function of rats as indicated by decreased serum enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. Meanwhile, the hydroxyproline of liver was significantly decreased. Histopathological results indicated that QGS-7 alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrosis septa. Moreover, QGS-7 significantly attenuated expressions of Alpha smooth muscle actin, Collagen I, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphorylation-JAK2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphorylation-STAT3 in the rat hepatic fibrosis model. QGS-7 inhibited HSC proliferation and promoted it apoptosis. QGS-7 may affect hepatic fibrosis through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway so as to play an antihepatic fibrosis role.